A MAN who attracted notoriety after being appointed Scotland’s only male period dignity officer has stepped down amid claims he was threatened and abused for taking on the role.
Jason Grant found himself at the centre of controversy after it was revealed in August he had been chosen for a job which oversaw ensuring public bodies in Tayside were providing free menstrual products.
His suitability for the role was widely questioned, including by tennis ace Martina Navratilova who described his appointment as “absurd” and by SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford.
After “threats and abuse” levelled at people in the period dignity team in Angus, Dundee, Perth and Kinross, it has been confirmed Grant has stepped down.
A former personal trainer and student wellbeing officer at Dundee and Angus College, Grant was hired to the role on the Period Dignity Working Group in Tayside.
A spokesperson for the group said: “The partners involved in the Period Dignity Working Group are committed to alleviating period poverty in Angus, Dundee and Perth and Kinross.
“It is regrettable that given the threats and abuse levelled at individuals in recent weeks, the period dignity regional lead officer role will not continue.
“The working group is now looking closely at alternative ways to deliver these vital services in line with the legal requirements of the Period Products (Free Provision) (Scotland) Act 2021.
“Meanwhile, support will continue to be provided to the colleagues and students who have been subjected to personal attack.
“Their safety and wellbeing is of paramount importance. The group’s joint work to provide free period products is rooted in kindness.
“We therefore ask that the same spirit of kindness is extended to those involved, and that their privacy is respected.”
Speaking to The Courier last month, Grant said that “having a guy can’t be a bad thing”, adding: “For me it’s about driving the discussion from a young age so boys and girls are included and there’s no hiding it away because that keeps it as a taboo topic.”
Grilled on the topic on Sky News at the time, Blackford said: “As a principle, it would be far better that women are in these posts”.
